THE majority of schools in South Gloucestershire have re-opened today after heavy snow closed them for two days.

Only a handful of schools have remained closed for a third day in the district including Abbottswood Primary and North Road Primary in Yate, Alexander Hosea in Wickwar, Almondsbury Primary, Oldbury Primary, Severn Beach Primary, Tortworth Primary and Gillingstool in Thornbury.

The Castle School in Thornbury and Marlwood in Alveston have also remained closed but Chipping Sodbury and Brimshame Green in Yate have re-opened but only for years 10,11,12 and 13.

Overnight temperatures dropped to minus eight in the region creating treacherous driving conditions for motorists this morning.

South Gloucestershire is facing continued disruption after three inches of snow fell on the district earlier in the week.

South Gloucestershire Council has said it does not know when refuse collections will recommence.

A spokesman said: "At the moment we are unable to say exactly when we will be able to resume collections and when they do, work will inevitably be slow.

"Therefore the best advice we can give is to ask that you leave your containers out at the edge of your property, making sure that you don’t obstruct the footpath, and we will get to you as soon as we can."

Yesterday the government said it will take control of all national salt supplies and will only give it to authorities on a priority basis.

However, South Gloucestershire has said it has enough grit supplies to keep all primary and secondary routes open.

A spokesman said: "We have got sufficient stocks, about 2,000 tonnes, and a delivery planned for later in the month."

For more information visit www.southglos.gov.uk